I got PlexConnect installed and working on my ATV3 with a Mac Mini 2012 as the PMS. Unfortunately I think I will have to stop using it unless someone has a solution to the extremely slow performance of all other ATV apps (not Plex). With PlexConnect installed - the other apps we use on the ATV - mainly Netflix, iTunes Radio, and iTunes Sharing are hit or miss at best. Sometimes the Netflix will work, most times it just spins. iTunes radio - sometimes it works - sometimes it just spins. iTunes sharing (videos/music stored on Mac Mini sitting inches away from ATV3) sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. I have tried all the suggestions here - hard coding the DNS into the cfg, etc. I even ran some optimization routines to find the absolute fastest DNS servers for use on the Mac Mini. All in all it is an unpleasant experience using the ATV at this point. My family is constantly requiring me to come fix the tv.
Once I disable PlexConnect (return ATV to auto DNS discovery) - everything on the ATV works smooth as glass. I NEVER have a problem with the ATV with PlexConnect disabled. I just really hate that I might not be able to enjoy Plex because of its effects on the rest of the ATV environment. Is this normal for PlexConnect enabled ATV3?
FWIW - below are some tech specs - I should have NO trouble with PlexConnect DNS or otherwise. In general my household network is actually pretty screaming fast.
Fibre optic connection to the internet and a STEADY 85mbps download / 35mbps upload
Cat 5e connection from Airport Extreme Router to FiOS junction box.
All machines in house are hardwired with Cat 5e cabling.
There are no splitters or unmanaged switches in the house
I do hope someone has some suggestions before I just remove PlexConnect.
In your /PlexConnect/Settings.cfg file, try changing the "8.8.8.8" for ip_dnsmaster to the address of either your home router or your ISP's DNS — that Google server seems to very often be the source of this sort of problem.
Similar to another problem I had, I also had performance issues with the DNS of PlexConnect with exactly the same symptoms, I installed bind and set PlexConnect to use other/own DNS server instead of the built in one and now DNS issues (dropouts/performance) have been resolved.
I second unsolubles comments, Googles DNS often is much slower than your own ISPs.
I know it's an old thread, but I'm facing the similar problems because I want to use another DNS than my ISP one to remove the geospecific barriers.
My experience with this issue is as follows:
If I reboot my PlexConnect server (MacMini with OSX 10.8) and then start the .py app, then I can access and watch Netflix and Hulu from the aTV. Then if I watch something on Plex and try Netflix or Hulu afterwards, it doesn't work anymore.
Stopping PlexConnect (Ctrl-C) and restarting doesn't solve the problem. Rebooting the router doesn't solve it either.
And sometimes, if I go to my "DNS provider" to check if it works, the provider sends me an error message "bad IP expression" (after resending, it's gone).
So my guess is that there is an issue on how the DNS messages are forwarded to the server. For the ISP DNS server it may not be so bad as they can also work with other authentication methods.
I wish I were able to install a DNS on my MacMini, but I don't really trust myself (and I'm not sure I can still get the OX server for 10.8
